The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-17

THE Holy CHILD; OR, TIE FLIGHT INTo EGYPT:
By Thomas E. VanBibber. New York and London.
G. T. Putnam's Sons 1887. This volume issues from
the press on the eve of the festival with which its
subject so happily accords and the eminent pub
fishers whose imprint it bears have done their best
to array it in holiday garb. Beautiful binding,
thick paper generous margins, elegant typography,
and choice illustrations combine in presenting a
temptation 10 the book-lover which he will find it
hard To resist But what is of far greater import
ance the poem Is worthy of the loving care bestowed
upon its publication; the jewel is worthy of the
casker The author spent the greater part of his life
in this community, was known by appearance and
reputation to all of us; intimately ard he really
was, to very few Mingling in society hardly more
than did Thoreau, yet an ardent lover of his fellow
men; reeluse and book-worm, yet the most genial
of companions and the most hospitable of hosts;
possessed vast and unsupported stores of learning
yet free from the least faint of pedantry with hu
NOR as quaint as Lambs, and with love for "the
principle of beauty in all things" as strong as that
of Keats; gueless child, yet with shrewd powers
of observation; utterly unworldly and with "a soul
that dwelt apart from the grosser concerns of every
dav life it is little matter for wonder that Thomas
E. VanBibber was somewhat of mystery to his
neghbors and friends and that, while all respected
only few understood him. Ifhe had had the bus
ness tact which seems so naturally a-days to
go with the trade of authorship, and which enables
the modern writer to establish profitable relations
with his publisher, VanBibber might not only have
coined the rich ore of his fertile fancy into bright
dollars, but might have occupied position high up
in the world of letters. But he published little.
He a stern critic of his own productions, and
was oath to part with piece of his literary work
manship until it had been polished to the exquisite
finish of a Greek cameo. And it comes to pass
that the great work of his life the narrative poem
Of "The Flight Into Egypt" is posthumous pub |
LEGATION. The subject in his thoughts for years
II was theme which hallowed his dreams and be- |
came what he himself calls it, "a waking VISION" |
TO its fit calculation he brought reverenial spirit
| mind rarely equipped with learning, and poetic
style of Wordsworthian simplicity and purity To
he writer of this poor tribute, who watched during
is authors lifetime the progress of the book to-
wards its slow completion. and who, with tear
limmed eyes. now tries to read between the lines"
what the lines themselves do not tell the work Is
me of ineffable beauty. Itwoud be great pleasure
o present to the reader few representative ex-
racts from the book, but unfortunately narrative
oem like this is does not readily lend itself to the
Use ofquotation. Its charm. like that of an archi
eetural structure does not lie in the details, but in
he completeness and symmetry of the whole and
e who would enjoy and appreciate "The Flight
nto Egypt must read it all not look here and there
Of extracts suitable for an album of quotations
The book is on sale ct Everhart Bros book sta
onery and variety store, ADVOCATE Building As
Christmas present it is peculiarly suited to this
ity and county. because, coupled with its merits
he author was Carroll countian.